I recently had the pleasure of being stuck at the Atlanta Airport for over 24 hours. I have always been a fan of people watching and got my share of it while there. I also learned some valuable information that I will now pass on to you.
Overheard
"Well actually, Reagan was President until 1992 before he resigned for health reasons. Clinton took over after than then the Bushes."
"But daddy, other people peed on the floor!"
"In order for me to make things more organized, I need you all to do the following: please form two lines...one for Kansas City and one for Philadelphia. This will help move things along quickly. Thank you." - Delta Employee
Notice there is no mention of where these lines need to form.
"These Celtics are the greatest basketball team ever"
10 minutes (and an Atlanta lead) later ...
"This team [is horrible]. They will never win anything!"
Later in the game after Boston regains the lead...
"This team is wicked awesome! No one can stop them!"
Observations
Ever notice that those riding on those "people mover carts"are generally those with no luggage and no problems. Also, do those drivers have the right to run me over if need be?
It is entertaining to walk the wrong way on those moving sidewalks. Even more fun to look confused and proclaim "I can't seem to get anywhere" as people come by.
Walking briskly, I can make it from one end of Terminal C to the other in under 8 minutes. After that it takes much longer.
Little known fact - people eat the following at 7 am: seafood, Burger King (not breakfast food), and Chili's. Some do it with coffee.
It's shocking enough that airport shops sell adult content, but it is more surprising to see some on buy alot of it. Still more surprising to see him looking at it while waiting for his flight.
Never ask one of the "gate keepers" where you are on the standby list. They will get angry and say "it's on the screen".
Likewise, never tell a gate keeper that the aforementioned screen is black. This leads to instant death.
Simply having a baby at the airport equals worried looks from others. It is fun to sit near people at other gates to bring about that "oh please don't let them sit next to me" feeling.
Finally, being stuck in the airport is nothing like Tom Hank's movie The Terminal...though I swear I saw an over weight version of Catherine Zeta Jones.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
The Next Step
Former Republican Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee isn't just fading into the background since his campaign came to a close. Awhile back it was even reported that he may consider running again in 4 (or 8 in McCain wins) years.
"What about now?" Huckabee supporters may be asking. For those who remember, Huckabee said that he would keep his website up and running to keep people informed of what he plans to do next (he stated his desire to stay involved). I just went by his site today and the countdown to its new unveiling has begun! Mike Huckabee's new site will be available on April 15 so be sure to run by and check it out at http://www.mikehuckabee.com/
"What about now?" Huckabee supporters may be asking. For those who remember, Huckabee said that he would keep his website up and running to keep people informed of what he plans to do next (he stated his desire to stay involved). I just went by his site today and the countdown to its new unveiling has begun! Mike Huckabee's new site will be available on April 15 so be sure to run by and check it out at http://www.mikehuckabee.com/
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Great Strides for Cystic Fibrosis
None of my pointless ramblings and observations for this post. I have a wonderful friend (farrel) who was born with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Doctors told her family that she probably wouldn't make it past the age of 8. She is now 25 years old.
CF is a non-contagious, life-threatening chronic illness affecting 70,000 people worldwide (30,000 in the US). "A defective gene causes the body to produce a faulty protein that leads to abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and often results in fatal lung infections. This mucus also obstructs the pancreas, causing difficulty for us to absorb nutrients and grow in a healthy manner.
As with most costly illnesses, there is no known cure for CF, and maintaining the illness costs between $85,000-$100,000 a year, depending on drugs and treatments needed, as well as the frequency of hospital and doctor visits. However, continuous research has enabled the life expectancy of CF patients to improve dramatically...In 1955, it was rare for a child diagnosed with CF to make it to elementary school. Today, more than 40% of the CF population reaches 18 and older, and our average life expectancy is reaching into the mid-thirties. However, with the ever-expanding awareness and fund-raising, many are reaching their 30s, 40s, and beyond."
The Great Strides Walk is the CF Foundation's largest and most successful national fund-raising event. The 2008 Great Strides Walk will take place at Six Flags Over Texas on June 8. Farrel has set a goal of raising $5000 via sponsorship. 90 cents of every dollar raised is invested in vital CF programs to support research, education, care, and maintenance.
We all spend our money on pointless and passing things. We go out to eat when we could all save money (and weight) by eating at home. We buy the most expensive electronics and products when something cheaper would be just as effective. In the end, none of these things matter. Why not use just a few dollars toward something worthy that will make an impact in the lives of others? I urge you to watch the video below and then visit Farrel's Great Strides page. To learn more about Cystic Fibrosis vist http://www.cff.org/.
Farrel's 2008 Great Strides Walk Website
CF is a non-contagious, life-threatening chronic illness affecting 70,000 people worldwide (30,000 in the US). "A defective gene causes the body to produce a faulty protein that leads to abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and often results in fatal lung infections. This mucus also obstructs the pancreas, causing difficulty for us to absorb nutrients and grow in a healthy manner.
As with most costly illnesses, there is no known cure for CF, and maintaining the illness costs between $85,000-$100,000 a year, depending on drugs and treatments needed, as well as the frequency of hospital and doctor visits. However, continuous research has enabled the life expectancy of CF patients to improve dramatically...In 1955, it was rare for a child diagnosed with CF to make it to elementary school. Today, more than 40% of the CF population reaches 18 and older, and our average life expectancy is reaching into the mid-thirties. However, with the ever-expanding awareness and fund-raising, many are reaching their 30s, 40s, and beyond."
The Great Strides Walk is the CF Foundation's largest and most successful national fund-raising event. The 2008 Great Strides Walk will take place at Six Flags Over Texas on June 8. Farrel has set a goal of raising $5000 via sponsorship. 90 cents of every dollar raised is invested in vital CF programs to support research, education, care, and maintenance.
We all spend our money on pointless and passing things. We go out to eat when we could all save money (and weight) by eating at home. We buy the most expensive electronics and products when something cheaper would be just as effective. In the end, none of these things matter. Why not use just a few dollars toward something worthy that will make an impact in the lives of others? I urge you to watch the video below and then visit Farrel's Great Strides page. To learn more about Cystic Fibrosis vist http://www.cff.org/.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Rob's Ramblings
I just finished what I consider my new favorite piece of (christian) fiction. "Dead Heat" is the final book in Joel Rosenberg's political series and is an outstanding book. If you haven't read any of the books in the series, that's not a problem. The book is great as a whole or a stand alone. If you have ever wondered what America's place is in end time events, this book does a great (and frightening) job of answering that question. Rosenberg's books have a knack of predicting the future. I won't take the time to address that on this post simply because I have done it twice before (search Rosenberg on my blog). Anyway, do yourself a favor and buy a copy today.
I saw that NBC will be airing episodes of the hit show Monk (Tony Shalhoub) on Sundays. I am very excited about this. Monk originally aired on the USA Network which we don't get (we are part of that select group that boast Basic Basic Cable...please don't be jealous). I have seen only two episodes in the past but enjoyed them. Of course Sunday night is one of those evenings that watching TV seems to be impossible, but maybe I can record it (again, select group -VCR User).
Finally after a trip to Japan, California, and Canada the Boston Red Sox are home and ready for Opening Day! This is like a national holiday here in MA. Seriously, they were showing the traffic on the morning news and no one is out. It is very exciting though. Jordan's Furniture is doing another promotional this year. Last year they made national headlines when any furniture bought between certain dates at the beginning of the season would be free if the Sox won the World Series. I did my best the convince the wife that we should partake. She wasn't for it. I am not hung up on it...sigh. Anyway, this year there is a new catch. First off not all furniture is up for grabs. More importantly, winning the World Series isn't enough anymore. This time they have to sweep (they swept the last two times). I think I will pass on this one.
Finally after a trip to Japan, California, and Canada the Boston Red Sox are home and ready for Opening Day! This is like a national holiday here in MA. Seriously, they were showing the traffic on the morning news and no one is out. It is very exciting though. Jordan's Furniture is doing another promotional this year. Last year they made national headlines when any furniture bought between certain dates at the beginning of the season would be free if the Sox won the World Series. I did my best the convince the wife that we should partake. She wasn't for it. I am not hung up on it...sigh. Anyway, this year there is a new catch. First off not all furniture is up for grabs. More importantly, winning the World Series isn't enough anymore. This time they have to sweep (they swept the last two times). I think I will pass on this one. Please be sure to check back later this week for an important update having to do with a Cystic Fibrosis fund raiser.
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